Best All-in-One Cloth Diapers

What is an All-in-One Cloth Diaper?

If you read through the cloth diaper 101 page on this site, you’ll know that all cloth diapers, no matter what brand or type, consist of a waterproof shell, and an absorbent inside. All-in-One diapers, (or AiO’s) are exactly what their name suggests, an entire cloth diaper — waterproof shell and absorbent inside — all sewn up into one piece. This one-step system is an ideal alternative to disposable diapers, as they are as easy to use as a disposable, except of course that they are able to be washed and used again and again.

All-in-one diapers come in adjustable one-size diapers, or in sized diapers that come even closer to using disposables (and accordingly are comparable cost wise given how many more you will need to purchase).

What are the Pros and Cons of All-in-One Cloth Diapers?

Pros

No assembly required. Unlike other types of diapers, you don’t need to do anything with an all-in-one diaper but put it on and take it off. It is a one-step diapering system that feels the same as using disposables.

Quick and easy. Great for situations where convenience and speed are needed, like long car trips or quick changes while shopping.

Cons

Expensive. Because you’re buying the waterproof absorbent layers together in one inseparable package, these diapers can be expensive. Unlike some other diaper types that let you just wipe off and reuse the cover at wet-only diaper changes, all-in-one cloth diapers need to be washed after every poop or pee, so you’ll need more of them on hand, again increasing the expense.

Slower to dry. Because you can’t separate the components of the diaper, it will take longer to dry. Making it worse, the attached waterproof cover can impede your machine’s spin cycle from getting the water out, making drying take even longer.

More prone to leaks. The construction of some all-in-ones, as well as the fact that all-in-ones can be harder to fit to all babies, means that all-in-ones are more likely to leak than diaper systems with separate components.

Shorter lifespan. Once again due to the fact that everything is stitched together, the length of time you can use an all-in-one is much shorter than other types of diapers where some pieces can be replaced as needed. The elastics and built-in diaper covers inside all-in-ones are usually the first parts to expire. Once one part of an all-in-one diaper goes, it needs to be fixed, or the whole diaper is useless.